Gillette Castle sits on top of a cliff above the Connecticut River like it was dropped there by someone who had very strong opinions about architecture and absolutely zero interest in blending in. The surrounding state park has trails that wind down toward the river, making it easy to spend a full afternoon here. Located at 67 River Rd, East Haddam, the park grounds are open year-round, while the castle interior is accessible only during scheduled, ticketed tour periods. Devil’s Hopyard State Park sounds like the setup for a campfire story, and the place delivers on that energy from the moment you arrive. Hidden Valley Preserve makes you feel like an explorer.